What is the theme inherent in all the foregoing? In a word: country. And what is saving or loving the country about by any normal definition? Patriotism.

These are themes we get some kind of vote on in November and they are the same themes Bill Bennett has spent his life writing and caring about. These are many of the same issues conservatives and Republicans have long cared about as well.

In the end, I’m not sure if Donald Trump represents governance by the first two thousand names of a telephone book, as William F. Buckley, Jr. once said he’d rather be governed by. I’m not sure if Donald Trump is just conservative rather than a conservative. But I am certain that given the stakes and issues we all care about, and have talked about for years, the last thing this election should be about is saving a party or a movement.

It’s about saving our country. Most call that patriotism. So, yes: Let’s grow up, Conservatives.